Revising a pitch deck is usually a daunting activity, nevertheless it’s an important step in direction of securing funding. With insights from a founder and a COO, this text sheds mild on essentially the most impactful classes realized from suggestions by angel investors. You’ll uncover why it’s important to spell out your secret sauce proper from the beginning and the way illustrating particular, quantifiable milestones could make all of the distinction. Dive into these 17 skilled insights that may rework your pitch and increase your possibilities of success.
- Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
- Lead With Downside and Market Alternative
- Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
- Pitch in Format Buyers Anticipate
- Concentrate on What Lands Buyers
- Keep away from Comparisons to Opponents
- Create an Inconceivable-to-Refuse Slide
- Spotlight Significance of ‘Why Now’ Slide
- Determine Patterns in Suggestions
- Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones
- Simplify Complicated Concepts for Readability
- Craft a Compelling Exit Technique
- Bridge the Information Hole Successfully
- Showcase Management Workforce’s Expertise
- Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch
- Emphasize Unit-Economics
- Present Blue-Sky Pondering
Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
When pitching my enterprise, virtually all angel buyers would ask me to elucidate my “secret sauce” immediately.
Right here’s what I added to my pitch in response: once I first obtained keen on productiveness as an idea, I attempted numerous totally different choices on supply to assist individuals enhance it, together with productiveness and accountability apps. However nothing appeared the appropriate match—nobody app appeared to have all of the options I used to be looking for. So, I constructed the platform I needed with my firm, the place expertise, technique, and the human contact come collectively.
So, my recommendation to others could be the identical: spell out your ‘secret sauce’ to assist buyers know what makes you distinctive and investable.
Manasvini Krishna, Founder, Boss as a Service
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Lead With Downside and Market Alternative
From my expertise working with numerous startups, one of the vital classes I’ve realized about pitch decks got here from a founder we labored with final 12 months. The startup had a tremendous AI-powered answer for supply-chain optimization, however their preliminary pitch deck was drowning in technical specs and complicated flowcharts.
After a number of conferences with angel investors who appeared to lose curiosity midway by, we helped them rework their deck to steer with the issue and market alternative first. The change was outstanding—as a substitute of opening with their expertise, we began with the $50 billion ache level within the business, adopted by actual tales from pissed off provide chain managers.
This method instantly grabbed buyers’ consideration as a result of it confirmed we understood what actually mattered to them: the market potential and the burning downside that wanted fixing. The revised deck generated considerably extra investor curiosity, they usually secured their seed spherical inside two months. It taught me that buyers, particularly on the angel stage, care extra in regards to the problem-solution match and market alternative than the technical intricacies of how your product works. Technical particulars nonetheless matter, however they need to help your story, not be the story itself.
Niclas Schlopsna, Managing Guide and CEO, spectup
Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
The one game-changing factor I realized from our enterprise angel at Wunderlist is that it’s not about any single slide; it’s about story construction.
I used to assume every slide needed to stand alone, however the most effective recommendation I obtained was to think about it like a three-act story: set up urgency round the issue, excite across the alternative, and save your heavy ammo, like early traction and partnerships, for the third-act climax.
As soon as we restructured it this fashion, all of a sudden, buyers have been leaning ahead of their seats as a substitute of simply politely nodding alongside.
Sebastian Scheerer, Founder & CEO, Superfounder.io
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Pitch in Format Buyers Anticipate
The one lesson that I realized when revising my pitch deck is that I 100% have to pitch within the format buyers count on. In the case of pitching, “Know your viewers” is extraordinarily vital. I just like the framework: Hearts-Minds-Wallets. To create a pitch deck, it makes use of storytelling and an excellent (and pretty typical) stream.
Additionally, after pitching varied enterprise proposals prior to now, I’d say that pitching is a ability. Storytelling is a ability. It’s one thing you possibly can enhance on. Telling your story is without doubt one of the most vital abilities you want as a founder. There are frameworks (like Hearts-Minds-Wallets) that may legitimately assist.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising Head, Sticker It
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Concentrate on What Lands Buyers
In the case of pitch-deck revisions, I’ve realized one factor: Each individual has their very own opinion and desire for what format and content material they need in a pitch deck. The “proper manner” is no matter lands you the buyers and companions which are an excellent match in your startup. The “improper manner” is each different manner.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising Director, Glide
Keep away from Comparisons to Opponents
One important lesson I realized when revising our pitch deck, based mostly on suggestions from angel buyers, was understanding how comparisons to rivals can affect investor notion. Initially, we believed that highlighting our answer alongside current market gamers would emphasize the hole we have been filling and showcase how our answer is totally different.
Nevertheless, this method truly ended up diluting our message, because it inadvertently related us with rivals that buyers considered as poor investments. This made our pitch a lot much less thrilling and took away from the momentum we have been constructing with the remainder of the deck.
As an alternative of specializing in rivals, we would have liked to display how our mannequin was new and why that distinctness would drive longevity and make our firm a robust funding. This shift allowed us to current our answer as an progressive chief reasonably than simply one other market participant.
Rob Deming, COO, Rate Retriever
Create an Inconceivable-to-Refuse Slide
After I first began pitching, I approached the deck as a narrative, with a starting, center, and an thrilling buildup to essentially the most spectacular a part of the enterprise. I needed to create a story crescendo. Then an angel investor took me apart and instructed me that buyers evaluate hundreds of decks and sometimes solely spend a couple of seconds per slide.
As a feminine founder, I additionally acknowledged an extra problem: unconscious biases can typically lead buyers to search for dangers earlier than they see alternatives. This meant I wanted to reframe my method. So, I created what I name an “impossible-to-refuse” slide—a slide filled with our greatest stats, metrics, buyer traction, and any “wow” issue that would make an investor sit up and say, “Whoa, that is totally different.”
Main with this data-driven, high-impact slide was a recreation changer. This method helped to counteract biases and set a assured tone for the remainder of the presentation. It’s one thing many feminine founders might have to think about—usually, we should be irrefutably compelling to get the identical consideration and confidence from buyers.
Vivian Chen, Founder & CEO, Rise
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Spotlight Significance of ‘Why Now’ Slide
Understanding the significance of a “Why Now” slide was a game-changer throughout our pitch deck revisions. Angel buyers wish to grasp why the enterprise is poised to succeed at this precise second, searching for a mixture of market tendencies, shifts in expertise, or altering shopper habits. Highlighting this facet might be the tipping level in convincing buyers.
The premium home-spa market is rising quick, partly as a result of an elevated deal with house wellness and the continued development towards house upgrades. Persons are prepared to take a position extra in private wellness areas, particularly as distant work and home-centered life develop. This development makes now the right time for a model providing distinctive, high-end outside luxuries.
Leveraging the “SOAR” framework can strengthen the effectiveness of the “Why Now” slide. Begin with Strengths that the enterprise brings to this chance. Observe with Alternatives that exist as a result of present market dynamics. Articulate particular Aspirations your enterprise seeks to meet by capturing this chance as we speak. Wrap up with Outcomes your enterprise goals to realize by performing now.
Structuring this slide with SOAR provides buyers a logical and compelling cause to imagine within the timeliness and potential of your enterprise, successfully demonstrating anticipation of future success.
Andrei Newman, Founder, Casa Blui
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Determine Patterns in Suggestions
One of many greatest classes I realized from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel buyers is which you can’t over-rotate based mostly on each single remark. It’s straightforward to get caught up in attempting to please everybody, however that’s a recipe for catastrophe. As an alternative, it is advisable to pay attention rigorously and determine patterns within the suggestions.
After a couple of pitches, you begin to discover which elements of your presentation actually resonate with buyers. Their eyes mild up, they lean in, they usually ask insightful questions. Pay shut consideration to these moments and the people who find themselves genuinely engaged. These are the indicators that inform you what’s working and the place to focus your consideration.
In the end, your pitch deck ought to inform a compelling story that captures the essence of your enterprise and its potential. By rigorously contemplating suggestions and figuring out the areas that actually resonate with buyers, you possibly can refine your pitch and improve your possibilities of success.
JJ Maxwell, CEO, Double Finance
Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones
My greatest takeaway from updating my pitch deck because of receiving suggestions from angel buyers was the way it helped illustrate particular, quantifiable milestones as a substitute of imprecise metrics about progress. Buyers wanted path, however not simply within the type of projected income or market share.
They wanted very clear, measurable, time-based steps that clearly outlined how we’d proceed from one section to the subsequent, reminiscent of hitting sure technical milestones, customer-adoption targets, or partnerships that may unlock the subsequent section of progress. They realized that they wanted a roadmap that was each grand and extremely lifelike and based mostly on precise indices of success. So I edited the deck to only embody these actions and provides a extra targeted, step-by-step image of our subsequent transfer.
And that modified the way in which they perceived our potential; they weren’t simply investing in an enormous thought however in a method they might see coming into actuality. It’s one factor to say develop, but when I gave specificity about what progress was at every stage, it instructed them we’d truly laid out our plan and weren’t making ethereal assumptions.
Thomas Franklin, CEO, Swapped
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Simplify Complicated Concepts for Readability
Revising a pitch deck based mostly on suggestions from angel buyers is usually a transformative expertise. One vital lesson realized is the significance of readability in speaking your imaginative and prescient. Buyers admire easy narratives that articulate your enterprise’s objective and potential. When suggestions highlighted areas of confusion, it turned clear that simplifying complicated concepts and specializing in core messages was important.
One other essential perception is the worth of tailoring the pitch to the viewers. Buyers usually have totally different pursuits and priorities, so adjusting the pitch to align with their particular targets can improve engagement. This method not solely makes the presentation extra related but in addition demonstrates an understanding of the buyers’ views.
Suggestions additionally underscored the necessity to emphasize the issue your enterprise solves. Buyers wish to see a transparent connection between the market want and your answer. Reinforcing this connection could make your pitch extra compelling and present that you’re not simply promoting a product however addressing an actual problem out there.
Total, these classes spotlight that suggestions is a useful software for refining your pitch. Listening to buyers and making changes based mostly on their enter can result in a more practical presentation that resonates with potential backers.
Ramzy Humsi, Founder & CEO, Vortex Ranker
Craft a Compelling Exit Technique
Crafting a compelling exit technique is essential in attracting and assuring angel buyers. Buyers wish to know not solely in regards to the improvements you deliver but in addition when and the way they’ll see returns. A well-defined exit technique highlights doable acquisition targets, merger alternatives, or IPO prospects. Consider it like a roadmap displaying the place the enterprise is heading, which reassures buyers that you just’ve thought of their future pursuits.
Use the “3 Ps” framework: Potential Consumers, Profitability Pathway, and Deliberate Timeframe. Determine firms which may profit from buying your enterprise; these are your potential patrons. Clearly define how the enterprise will develop to turn into enticing to those potential acquirers. Present a logical timeline for whenever you count on the enterprise to be prepared for an exit. Incorporating the “3 Ps” not solely demonstrates strategic considering but in addition will increase investor confidence, mitigating their threat and displaying that you just’re in it for the lengthy haul.
Jean Chen, COO & Co-Founder, Mondressy
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Bridge the Information Hole Successfully
One main lesson from revising the pitch deck based mostly on angel investor suggestions was discovering learn how to bridge the data hole in a manner that’s each participating and persuasive. Once we initially pitched our firm, we’d dive straight into explaining the user-generated content material (UGC) mannequin and why it’s the longer term. However with UGC being comparatively unknown to many buyers, it was clear that this method didn’t seize consideration or convey the chance we noticed on this house.
The suggestions actually helped us see the significance of “present, don’t inform.” So we made the opening extra dynamic and visually wealthy, leaning into short-form content material since, as a UGC-focused startup, we all know this medium nicely. As an alternative of an ordinary rationalization, we launched UGC with a short-form type overview—fast, visible, and interesting. This method instantly put us in our ingredient, and the extra entertaining tone made it simpler for buyers to understand the UGC idea and, crucially, see its potential.
By the point we’d carried out this, the tone of our displays had shifted noticeably. As an alternative of getting caught in a “that is what UGC is” loop, we discovered buyers asking extra related questions, indicating they “obtained it” and have been interested in subsequent steps. This variation led to extra follow-ups and productive discussions, which felt like a win-win. In essence, we realized that when you’re pioneering in a distinct segment, it’s essential to introduce it in a manner that feels accessible and charming—particularly if it means assembly buyers on acquainted floor whereas showcasing your experience.
Yannick Habraken, Founder / CMO, Hyred
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Showcase Management Workforce’s Expertise
Most pitch decks are very complete across the merchandise/worth proposition, applied sciences, market alternative, income mannequin/profitability, operations & scalability, capital planning, and so forth. Nevertheless, angel buyers, specifically, have usually already evaluated most of that and wouldn’t even be chatting with you with out the above.
As an alternative, what they’re usually most keen on is YOU and the management group! You should definitely display your group’s well-rounded expertise and abilities and, extra importantly, your objective/ardour (your “why”), values, attitudes, and work ethic. Angel buyers are investing in YOU and the management group far more than the merchandise/providers and applied sciences.
Joe Palmer, Managing Companion, Prosperity Partners Consulting, Inc.
Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch
One key lesson from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel buyers is that readability sells. I packed it with knowledge, considering it will present my preparedness. As an alternative, buyers needed simplicity—clear, impactful insights with out the litter.
One investor put it bluntly: “We don’t have to see the whole lot ; we have to see that what issues.”
So, I trimmed down the slides, focusing solely on the story that highlighted our distinctive edge, the market’s actual ache factors, and our scalable answer. I realized to current numbers in a manner that feels intuitive, telling a story as a substitute of itemizing stats.
The distinction was rapid. Buyers leaned in, engaged, asking higher questions. The pitch turned a dialog, not a lecture, and, finally, it resonated as a result of it was exact and memorable.
John Beaver, Founder, Desky
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Emphasize Unit-Economics
A beneficial lesson I realized from revising my pitch deck after angel buyers’ suggestions was the significance of emphasizing unit-economics. Buyers want to know the monetary sustainability of the enterprise, so I made certain to incorporate important metrics like buyer acquisition value (CAC) and lifelong worth (LTV). These figures helped make clear how we might develop profitably and confirmed that the enterprise mannequin is scalable and sustainable in the long run.
Together with these metrics gave the deck extra credibility, making the funding alternative extra compelling. It additionally allowed buyers to see a transparent path to profitability, growing their confidence within the enterprise.
Stephen Boatman, Principal, Flat Fee Financial
Present Blue-Sky Pondering
After I was elevating a pre-seed spherical, the recurring query from angels and VCs was in regards to the sustainability of the enterprise and the way clients will turn into recurring contemplating the character of the enterprise, a.okay.a. AI headshots, which is a 12-month recurring want reasonably than one thing a consumer wants each week.
And whereas I’ve had knowledge to showcase that 27% of our clients have been returning each month to generate private branding content material for his or her social media, I understood that this in itself was not a large enough problem I used to be fixing and that my considering wanted to go a lot larger.
I revised my pitch deck to indicate blue-sky considering—to indicate buyers that this product might develop right into a billion-dollar thought. I drafted up a roadmap that included an AI advertising and marketing product roadmap that I rapidly validated by getting early signups from a couple of enterprise shoppers that have been already utilizing us for his or her group AI headshots.
This revision helped me get consideration from heavyweight VCs, which I finally declined.
Adriana Lica, CoFounder, Try it on AI
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